What does the skin care process include

The core is actually the three required steps of cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection. The rest, such as serum, functional essence, and eye cream, are all optional options that can be added as needed. There is no standard answer at all.

Last week, I helped my cousin who was just getting into skincare to tidy up the dressing table. She listed a full 7-step skincare routine on the half table of products that Xiaohongshu had collected. She used only water, two layers of moisturizing water and polishing water, and applied them all to the sunscreen step. Her face was so sticky that it could stick to tissue paper. Within half a month, she developed a closed acne. She went to see a dermatologist. The first sentence of the doctor told her to cut off all the redundant steps and leave only three core links. After a month of maintenance, her skin slipped back.

When it comes to cleansing, different people’s opinions vary quite a bit. I have some serious friends who would take out makeup remover and rub it in for three minutes even if they only apply a colored makeup remover. Some dermatology bloggers from a tertiary hospital said that ordinary non-waterproof sunscreens and isolates can be completely washed away with mild amino acid cleansers. Frequent makeup removal will damage the skin barrier and make it prone to redness and sensitivity. I have combination skin, and I only wear ordinary film-forming sunscreen when commuting. I wash it off with an amino acid cleanser for 1 minute at night, and I have never had any residual pimples. Ultimately, it all depends on your skin type and the type of products you use. If you use waterproof sports sunscreen or long-lasting liquid foundation, you will definitely need to remove it.

There are actually not so many strict rules for moisturizing after cleansing. Just don’t wait for the water on your face to dry before applying it, otherwise it will take away the skin’s own moisture. I have followed the trend and bought many bottles of toners with different effects. Every time I apply them, I feel like they are not very moisturizing, and they are still drying out after two minutes. Later, I asked a friend who is a formulator and I found out that most of the ingredients in toners are water. At most, some moisturizers and penetration-promoting ingredients are added, which is not a necessary step at all. Many friends with sensitive skin around me have skipped toner and applied cream directly after washing their face. The condition of their skin is much more stable than when they used to wipe water back and forth. If you have a lot of oil in the summer, just apply a light gel. If your skin is dry and peeling in the winter, it is no problem to add a layer of essence oil. You don’t have to follow the order of water, essence, lotion, and cream.

Among the three steps, the most important thing is sun protection. It is not an exaggeration to say that it is the most cost-effective among all skin care steps. I used to have a colleague who bought whitening essences and antioxidant essences that cost thousands of dollars. She found sunscreen sticky when going out in the summer and didn’t even wear a hat. After using the whitening products for more than half a year, it didn’t work at all, and she now has two small sun spots. Later, she was advised to either wear a hat, a mask and an umbrella as a hard sunscreen when going out, or apply enough sunscreen for a dollar coin. In just over two months, her previously dull skin tone has become much brighter, and the sun spots have faded.

As for the whitening essences, anti-aging essences, eye creams, and lip masks that everyone is struggling with, they are all based on the core three steps, and then added according to your own needs. For example, if you want to improve fresh acne marks, add a whitening essence before moisturizing, and if you want to anti-aging, add an A-alcohol essence. If you don’t have these special needs, three steps are enough. My mother-in-law is 60 years old this year. She has only used these three steps for skin care her whole life. She only adds a hand cream in winter. Her skin is firmer and more delicate than many young people who put on five or six layers of skin care products every day.